Macular Disease Foundation Australia (MDFA) is partnering with Diabetes Australia’s KeepSight to expand its successful Eye Connect support service to include Australians living with diabetic retinopathy (DR) and diabetic macular oedema (DMO).
MDFA Chief Executive Officer Dr Kathy Chapman said the partnership brings together eye health and diabetes expertise to make Eye Connect Australia’s first national service dedicated to providing tailored information, practical advice, and emotional support for people affected by both age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetes-related eye conditions.
“The service complements clinical care by reinforcing key information, supporting self-management, and addressing people’s needs between appointments,” Dr Chapman said.
Diabetes Australia Group CEO Justine Cain said working with MDFA to develop the service was an important next step for KeepSight, the national diabetes eye check reminder program managed by Diabetes Australia.
“KeepSight now plays a critical role in preventing diabetes-related vision loss in Australia, with more than 200,000 eye check reminders sent each year. More than 600,000 people living with diabetes are registered to receive reminders when they are due for diabetes eye checks.
“Importantly, KeepSight also has a role to play in supporting those people whose vision loss is more progressed and who require personalised support.
“Living with diabetes is challenging enough, having to also navigate vision loss creates even more challenges. We are so pleased we can now provide people with practical advice and emotional support specific to their circumstances.”
SEEING THE WHOLE PERSON
Of the 1.5 million people in Australia diagnosed with diabetes, between 25–35% have some degree of DR.1,2 Among them, an estimated 91,000 are living with DMO.3 These conditions are the leading cause of preventable blindness among working-age Australians.
MDFA and Diabetes Australia conducted research with people living with diabetes-related eye conditions to better understand their lived experiences. Participants shared powerful reflections on their experiences, with some stressing it was the loss of independence, confidence, and sometimes hope, that affected people most strongly.
The research indicated that people needed more than just treatment – they needed support that saw the whole person, not just the condition. Beyond the research, insights were also sought from individuals living with diabetes-related eye conditions to better understand their personal journeys.
“To ensure the service meets patient needs, MDFA collaborated with Diabetes Australia and a wide range of health professionals across eye care and diabetes management”
SHARED EXPERTISE SHAPES RESOURCES
To ensure the service meets patient needs, MDFA collaborated with Diabetes Australia and a wide range of health professionals across eye care and diabetes management. Their insights helped shape resources that align with broader care strategies and reflect the lived experiences of people with diabetes-related eye conditions.
“This expansion to Eye Connect will help people better understand their condition and receive practical advice and support,” Dr Chapman said.
“Most importantly, we hope to provide a place – perhaps for the first time – where people feel understood and supported as they navigate the complexities of living with a diabetes-related eye condition.”
MDFA has also launched a new online Eye Connect Check self-assessment tool, that helps patients understand how the service can support them on their journey with AMD or a diabetes-related eye condition.
It’s a quick and easy way for patients to self-refer to the service: visit: mdfoundation.com.au/EyeConnect-Check.
Eye health professionals can refer patients to Eye Connect via the MDFA’s website (mdfoundation.com.au/refer-to-us), via Oculo, or by ordering referral pads via info@mdfoundation.com.au.
References
1. National Health and Medical Research Council. Guidelines for the management of diabetic retinopathy. 2008. Available at: optometry.org.au/wp-content/uploads/Professional_support/Guidelines/nhmrc_diabetic_guidelines.pdf. 2. Keel S, Xie J, Dirani M, et al. The prevalence of diabetic retinopathy in Australian Adults with self-reported diabetes: The National Eye Health Survey. Ophthalmology. 2017 Jul;124(7):977-984. doi: 10.1016/j.ophtha.2017.02.004. 3. The 91,000 DMO number is an extrapolation from this source: Deloitte Access Economics. The economic impact of diabetic macular oedema in Australia. 2025. Canberra: Deloitte Access Economics, Barton, ACT.